MuscleMuscles of mastication
Temporalis
Latin: M. temporalis
Location: Head
View the temporalis in 3DOrigin
Temporal fossa (frontal, parietal and temporal bones) and deep temporal fascia.
Insertion
Coronoid process and anterior border of the mandibular ramus.
Action
Elevates the mandible (anterior, near-vertical fibres) and retracts it (posterior, near-horizontal fibres) — the jaw's main retractor after protrusion.
Nerve supply
Deep temporal nerves (V3).
Blood supply
Deep temporal branches of the maxillary artery.
Clinical relevance
Wasting of the temporalis hollows the temple in trigeminal (V3) motor lesions, myopathies or severe weight loss; surgeons use temporalis flaps to reconstruct the cheek and orbit after tumour resection.
Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.